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Home , Common greenshank, Common redshank, Curlew, Eurasian curlew, Greater yellowlegs, Hudsonian godwit

1 1 2 PART 2 2 3 ’s 3 4 4 5 5 6 A GUIDE TO THEIR IDENTIFICATION 6 7 7 8 , , ‘SHANKS’ AND LOOK-ALIKES 8 9 9 10 The previous article in this series (Vol. 3(1): 53-61) dealt with the identification of small and their allies. Some readers 10 11 may have found this a little daunting, but these small sandpipers do present some of the greatest identification challenges. 11 12 12 Fortunately, the larger migratory waders covered in this article are, on the whole, considerably easier to identify. Here, Phil Hockey 13 13 14 concentrates on the essential identification features of larger migratory waders that still cause confusion in some quarters. 14 15 The illustrations of waders by Peter Hayman are reproduced from Shorebirds by Peter Hayman, John Marchant and 15 16 16 17 Tony Prater, with kind permission of the publisher, A & C Black, and from Sasol of Southern Africa (Struik). 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 EURASIAN AND SLENDER-BILLED CURLEWS, AND WHIMBREL 21 22 22 Eurasian 23 Adult breeding has, on the Orient have longer bills. 23 24 Numenius arquata average, much the longer bill The bill shapes of Whimbrel 24 25 55 cm of the two, but some long- and Eurasian Curlew are also 25 26 billed adult female Whimbrels subtly different: the former’s 26 27 have longer bills than the bill curves gradually along 27 28 shortest-billed juvenile male almost its entire length, where- 28 29 Eurasian Curlews. To place as the curvature of the Eurasian 29 30 these differences in perspec- Curlew’s bill is obviously great- 30 31 tive, the bill length of est towards the tip. These two 31 32 Whimbrels ranges from about often feed and roost in 32 33 55 to 95 mm, whereas that of close association and, when 33 34 the nominate race of Eurasian seen side by side, the size 34 35 Curlews ranges from 107 to difference between them is 35 36 168 mm in adults; bills of juve- so great you wonder how 36 37 niles are shorter (down to you could ever have been 37 38 80 mm). The eastern race of confused! The Whimbrels are 38 39 Eurasian Curlew (orientalis), literally dwarfed by the longer- 39 40 which is widespread in Africa, legged curlews. Also when 40 41 has bill measurements of up seen side by side, both  41 42 to 192 mm! Among waders, 42 43 only the Long-billed Curlew 43 44 Numenius americanus of the 44 45 Americas and the Far Eastern 45 46 Curlew N. madagascariensis of 46 47 47 48 These species are characterized and size. The head and neck of Whimbrel 48 49 by having fairly long, grey legs, Eurasian Curlew are closely Adult breeding 49 Numenius phaeopus 50 white backs and rumps, and and finely streaked, appearing 43 cm 50 51 long, slender, obviously dull brown at a distance. Some 51 52 decurved bills. They show no show a hint of a pale line 52 53 significant changes in through the eye, but there is 53 54 with either age or sex. Both no obvious eyestripe, nor does 54 55 Eurasian Curlew and Whimbrel the ’s head seem capped. 55 56 are widespread on the African The head of Whimbrel, by 56 57 coast, occurring inland less fre- contrast, is strongly patterned. 57 58 quently. Both can regularly be This patterning includes a poor- 58 59 found together, when direct ly defined dark stripe through 59 60 comparison makes separation the eye, an obvious pale super- 60 61 easy, but even solitary birds cilium extending from the base 61 62 should not cause confusion. of the bill to well behind the 62 63 The three key aspects to con- eye, and a dark, almost blackish 63 64 centrate on are head patterns, crown bisected by a narrow 64 65 length and shape of the bill, buffy or whitish stripe. 65

1998 – volume 3, number 2 AFRICA’S WADERS 63 

  1 1 2 ~ africa’s WADERS ~ ~ africa’s WADERS ~ 2 3 A guide to their identification A guide to their identification 3 4 4 5 EURASIAN AND SLENDER-BILLED CURLEWS, AND WHIMBREL BAR-TAILED, BLACK-TAILED AND HUDSONIAN GODWITS 5 6 6 7 Slender-billed Curlew In Eurasian Curlew, the Habits, habitats that it does look different, but it 7 Male name implies, has a black tail 8 Adult non-breeding inner wing is almost always and associations which contrasts strongly with is very difficult to pinpoint 8 Numenius tenuirostris 9 38 cm considerably paler than the Eurasian Curlews and its white rump. In Bar-tailed Hudsonian exactly how! The bottom line 9 10 outer wing. Whimbrels typically are birds Godwit, the toes project Adult non-breeding with 10 Limosa haemastica 11 Slender-billed Curlew is a of estuarine and lagoon beyond the tail tip in flight, 39 cm in Africa is that unless you see 11 12 species which few birders have mudflats. Both species probe but in Black-tailed Godwit a a bird in full breeding plumage 12 13 been fortunate enough to see. deep into soft sediments in substantial part of the tarsus (an unlikely event), you have to 13 14 It is extremely rare, occurring search of worms, prawns or also projects. see it in flight to clinch the iden- 14 15 in very small numbers at a . In the tropics, they also The upperpart colouring of tification – and certainly to get 15 16 Female handful of localities in Morocco chase crabs on the surface. Hudsonian Godwit in flight is it past any rarities committee! 16 17 and Tunisia. It is much smaller Other coastal habitat types, very similar to that of Black- 17 18 than Eurasian Curlew and including rocky shores, are tailed Godwit, but the under- Habits, habitats 18 19 slightly smaller than Whimbrel. visited less frequently – mostly wings have striking black and associations 19 20 Although streaked on the by Whimbrels – but during coverts, rendering this species Bar-tailed and Hudsonian god- 20 21 breast and belly like the other migration both species have unmistakable. wits are essentially birds of 21 22 races of Eurasian Curlew two species, the background been recorded at a diversity of Confusion between these coastal soft sediments, especial- 22 23 (especially orientalis) are to this streaking is much whit- inland habitats (I have even three can really only arise when ly mud- and sandflats of 23 24 paler than Whimbrel. er. There is usually a dusky watched a Whimbrel chasing they are on the ground. lagoons and estuaries. Bar- 24 25 In flight, the two species stripe extending from the scorpions in the Kalahari Morphologically, Bar-tailed and and neck. In Bar-tailed Godwit ally are well-marked above tailed Godwits do occur inland 25 26 present broadly similar pat- eye to the bill, and a poorly Desert!). Both species forage Hudsonian godwits are the most uniform chestnut colouring (with obvious whitish or buffy on migration, but rarely. 26 27 terning – the white backs defined white supercilium. In singly or in loose groups and similar. Neither appears particu- extends on to the belly, whereas feather margins) whereas Black-tailed Godwits are 27 28 being particularly striking. flight, the best identification are more likely to roost with larly long-legged or long- in Black-tailed Godwit the belly Black-tailed Godwits are a much more catholic in habitat 28 29 Even without a direct size feature (apart from the very one another than to join large, necked, and both have a very is predominantly white with much more uniform grey. choice, occurring at both coast- 29 30 comparison or clear view of white underbody) is the pre- multi-species roosts. slightly upturned bill of which heavy crescent-shaped black Importantly, the upper breast al and inland . Very 30 31 the bill, however, they can be dominantly white underwing – Outside the breeding sea- the basal one third to one half is markings. The entire underparts and neck of Bar-tailed Godwit large numbers occur inland at 31 32 separated with fair confidence it is much paler even than son, Slender-billed Curlew is a usually pink. Black-tailed of Hudsonian Godwit are more are lightly, but clearly streaked wetlands in tropical West Africa, 32 33 on the upperwing pattern. In that of the very rare habitat generalist, foraging in Godwit, on the other hand, reddish, and crescent-shaped – those of Black-tailed Godwit where they frequent river flood- 33 34 Whimbrel, there is little con- Whimbrel race alboaxillaris estuaries and lagoons, on the are uniform pale grey and plains, paddies and lake 34 35 trast between the colours which occurs on the coast edges of freshwater lakes, and unstreaked. Adult Hudsonian margins. They usually forage in 35 36 of the inner and outer wings. of East Africa. in and farmlands. Godwits in non-breeding loose flocks. In coastal habitats, 36 37 plumage are more similar in Black- and Bar-tailed godwits 37 38 colour to Blackwits than to may forage together, but 38 39 BAR-TAILED, BLACK-TAILED AND HUDSONIAN GODWITS Barwits, but any Hudsonian Blackwits, with their longer legs 39 40 Godwits seen in Africa are like- and necks, often forage in 40 41 Bar-tailed Godwit wings. The underwing of ly to be juveniles (which pres- deeper water than Barwits. Like 41 42 Adult non-breeding Black-tailed Godwit is very ent more of a problem). Eurasian Curlews and 42 Limosa lapponica 43 38 cm white and is narrowly but con- Juveniles of all three godwits Whimbrels, godwits frequently 43 44 spicuously edged with black. are buffy below, this colour form high-tide roosts separate 44 45 Bar-tailed, however, lacks a being richest in Black-tailed from those of other waders.  45 46 conspicuous white wingbar Godwit. All have buffy or whit- 46 47 (present in Blackwit), has a ish margins to the otherwise 47 48 white back (that of Blackwit is Black-tailed Godwit dark upperpart feathers, 48 49 dark) and a black-and-white imparting a scalloped 49 50 barred tail. effect. Black-tailed 50 51 Black-tailed Godwit, as its  Godwits can 51 52 date, has only appears both long-legged and black markings extend all the usually be picked out 52 53 been recorded in long-necked, and the long bill – way to the upper breast. The on a combination of 53 54 South Africa and it which is not upturned – is usual- head and neck, however, are morphology (see 54 55 is possible that ly pink or pinkish-orange for whitish, heavily but finely above) and the warm 55 56 Bar-tailed all records are of more than half of its length. If streaked with dark grey. buffy underpart colour, 56 57 and Black- the same individu- Black-tailed Godwit is seen Hudsonian Godwit has never which extends almost to the 57 58 tailed god- al. All three species alongside either of the other been recorded in breeding undertail coverts. Juvenile Bar- 58 59 wits (known have long, straight species, it is plumage in Africa (and such tailed and Hudsonian godwits 59 60 affectionately or almost straight obviously larger. a record in the future is are, in my experience, extreme- 60 61 as Barwits bills. In breeding plumage, all three highly unlikely). ly difficult to separate in the 61 62 and Blackwits) are fairly wide- In flight, the godwits are eas- Black-tailed Godwit species have extensive rufous or Separation of adult Bar-tailed field (except in flight). 62 63 spread and common in Africa. ily separable in all . Adult male breeding chestnut coloration. In Bar-tailed and Black-tailed godwits in When watching a known 63 Limosa limosa 64 The third species, Hudsonian Bar-tailed and Black-tailed 40 cm and Black-tailed godwits, this non-breeding plumage is fairly juvenile Hudsonian Godwit, one 64 65 Godwit, is a vagrant which, to godwits have pale under- colouring extends to the head easy. Bar-tailed Godwits gener- can almost convince oneself Bar-tailed Godwit 65

64 AFRICA’S WADERS africa – birds & birding 1998 – volume 3, number 2 AFRICA’S WADERS 65 

 1 1 2 ~ africa’s waders ~ ~ africa’s waders ~ 2 3 A guide to their identification A guide to their identification 3 4 4 5 COMMON AND SPOTTED REDSHANKS, AND COMMON AND SPOTTED REDSHANKS, AND RUFF 5 6 6 7 standing bird, these are the buffy underparts which, espe- are paler than 7 Adult non-breeding 8 two obvious features of cially in the case of small Spotted Redshank the primaries, they are barred 8 totanus Adult non-breeding 9 25 cm Common Redshank illustrated females, can cause confusion dark and pale grey and are not 9 Tringa erythropus 10 in field guides! with Buff-breasted 32 cm pure white as in Common 10 11 Bill shapes of the two are, Tryngites subruficollis. Leg Redshank. Common Redshanks 11 12 however, quite different. colour of these juveniles ranges are often first located by their 12 13 Common Redshank has a from grey-green to yellowish call – a loud ‘tyuu hu hu’, with 13 14 straight, evenly tapered bill; green. It is important to The upper- the first note longer than the 14 15 that of Ruff is always slightly remember that there is a great parts of Spotted other two. It is quite different 15 16 decurved and thickens notice- deal of size variation among Redshank in from the three-note call of 16 17 ably at the base. Ruffs: males, which account for non-breeding . 17 18 The Ruff has variably scal- about one in 10 Ruffs in Africa, plumage are 18 19 loped upperparts, the dark are much larger than the more paler and clean- Habits, habitats 19 20 feathers being conspicuously abundant females. er grey in colour and associations 20 21 fringed with buff; this scallop- If you are still uncertain of than Common Redshank, and All three of these species can 21 22 ing is more pronounced in the the identity of a bird on the the bill is much longer and is be found at a range of coastal 22 23 adult than in the juvenile. ground, once it stretches its slightly decurved at the tip. The and inland wetlands. The only 23 24 It really should be impossible Adult Common Redshank is a wings or takes to flight, all underparts are very pale and the species likely to be found for- 24 25 to confuse these birds with much more uniform, greyish doubts are gone! Common lores are conspicuously white. aging in dry lands (usually 25 26 each other or with any other sepia colour above. The upper Redshank has a highly distinc- The probability of confusing Although the secondaries of agricultural areas, and includ- 26 27 species. Nevertheless, they are breast of the adult Common tive flight pattern, with a Ruff and Spotted Redshank is ing farmyards) is Ruff. Ruffs 27 28 frequently misidentified, the Redshank has fairly fine, dark, black-and-white barred tail zero, but Spotted and sometimes form spectacularly 28 29 most common error being the vertical streaking on a white or and rump, a white back, Common redshanks could pos- large roosts, especially in West 29 30 misidentification of Ruff as cold grey background. This dark outer wings and white sibly be confused in non- Africa where some roosts may 30 31 Common Redshank. This con- streaking is less obvious in secondaries. Ruff lacks any breeding plumage (the jet Common Redshank contain more than half a mil- 31 32 fusion arises because many juveniles (especially in worn startling upperwing pattern black breeding plumage of lion birds. Ruffs forage solitarily 32 33 adult Ruffs in Africa have plumage): juveniles are also and shows clear white ovals Spotted Redshank, finely spot- or in loose flocks, but 33 34 orange-red legs (which are browner above than adults. on either side of a dark ted with white – hence its Common and Spotted red- 34 35 fairly long) and many have a The foreneck of Ruff is more rump – these white ovals are name – is unmistakable, but shanks usually feed singly. All 35 36 pinkish base to the bill (which uniform and is sometimes formed by unusually long birds in breeding dress are three species forage with and 36 37 can also be fairly long). For a marked with indistinct, short, upper tail coverts.  unlikely to be seen south roost with a wide diversity of 37 38 crescent-shaped bars. of the Equator). other wader species.  38 39 Juvenile Ruffs have Ruff 39 Juvenile female 40 very uniform, dark 40 41 41 42 42 43 43 44 44 45 45 46 Ruff 46 Male non-breeding 47 Philomachus pugnax 47 48 male 30 cm 48 49 female 24 cm 49 50 50 51 51 52 52 53 53 54 54 55 55 56 56 57 57 Ruff 58 Spotted Redshank 58 59 Buff-breasted Sandpiper 59 60 Juvenile 60 61 61 62 62 63 63 64 64 65 65

66 AFRICA’S WADERS africa – birds & birding 1998 – volume 3, number 2 AFRICA’S WADERS 

 1 1 2 ~ africa’s waders ~ ~ africa’s waders ~ 2 3 A guide to their identification A guide to their identification 3 4 4 5 COMMON GREENSHANK AND , GREATER AND COMMON GREENSHANK AND MARSH SANDPIPER, GREATER AND LESSER YELLOWLEGS 5 6 6 7 upper breast become more cies are extreme vagrants to The calls of the two 7 Marsh Sandpiper 8 Common Greenshank heavily streaked. Marsh Adult non-breeding Africa, both having been yellowlegs are quite different: 8 9 Adult non-breeding Sandpiper, on Tringa stagnatilis recorded fewer than five times. gives a 9 Tringa nebularia 23 cm 10 32 cm the other hand, has a The most striking feature of penetrating ‘tu-tu-tu’, closely 10 11 more distinct breed- both species is their golden- resembling that of Common 11 12 ing plumage yellow legs. The only species Greenshank Greenshank, whereas Lesser 12 13 which many indi- with which they could be con- Yellowlegs has a flatter, single- 13 14 viduals attain fused is or double-note ‘tu’ call. 14 15 before leaving Tringa glareola (see Vol. 3(1): 15 16 Africa. The upper- 56-57), but that species is Habits, habitats 16 17 parts become smaller, has duller legs and a and associations 17 18 sharply patterned with conspicuous pale supercilium All four of these species are 18 19 grey and brown, tinged extending well behind the eye. catholic in habitat choice, 19 20 with cinnamon; the head and Yellowlegs reaching Africa are occurring at a diversity of 20 21 neck are heavily spotted and most likely to be juveniles. If coastal and inland wetlands. 21 22 streaked with dark brown, and size com-parisons with other Of the four, Common 22 23 the flanks are lightly patterned waders are possible, Lesser Greenshank is by far the most 23 24 with chevrons. In combination Yellowlegs likely to be encountered on the 24 25 with these changes, a change is slightly larger and heavier- open coast, especially on rocky 25 26 in leg colour can cause confu- bodied than Marsh Sandpiper, shores where it hunts for fish in 26 27 sion. The legs become increas- but smaller than Common shallow pools. Common 27 28 ingly orange and some appear Redshank. Marsh Sandpiper Greenshank and Marsh 28 29 Common Greenshank and immediate giveaway is bill to be tinged with red – this is The proportions of Greater Sandpiper forage solitarily or in 29 30 Marsh Sandpiper share grey/ structure – that of Marsh the time at which confusion Yellowlegs, by contrast, are loose flocks, frequently in asso- 30 31 dark grey upperparts, long Sandpiper is straight, needle- with other species is most likely. much closer to those of ciation with other waders.  31 32 greenish or greenish fine and blackish for most of its In terms of body and bill Common Greenshank (with 32 33 yellow legs, white backs and length, although in some birds structure, Marsh Sandpiper which it shares the impression 33 34 rumps and long, straight there is silvery-grey coloration most closely resembles the of a slightly upturned bill). 34 35 (or almost straight) bills. towards the base of the bill. vagrant Wilson’s Common Greenshanks or Marsh Sandpipers with unusu- 35 36 Superficially, Marsh Sandpiper The bill of Common ally bright legs could, at first 36 37 is a diminutive and lanky Greenshank is much more glance, be mistaken for yellow- 37 38 version of the Common robust, the basal half is usually legs. In flight, however, the 38 39 Greenshank. If the two are greyish or dull green and the former two species show white 39 40 seen together, the larger size bill appears slightly upturned. rumps and backs – in both 40 41 and heavier build of Common Seasonally, there is yellowlegs species, only the 41 42 Greenshank precludes relatively little plumage rump is white. If no size 42 43 confusion. Even without change in Common comparison is available 43 44 direct comparison, however, Greenshank. However, for separating the 44 45 these two species are easily as the breeding sea- yellowlegs, bill 45 46 separated in the field. The son approaches, the length is a useful 46 47 head, neck and character. The 47 48 bill of Greater 48 49 Yellowlegs is 49 50 Greater Yellowlegs obviously much 50 51 Juvenile non-breeding longer than head 51 Tringa melanoleuca 52 31 cm length whereas that 52 53 of Lesser Yellowlegs is 53 54 only slightly longer than 54 55 head length. Also, the bill of 55 56 Greater Yellowlegs often shows 56 57 Lesser Yellowlegs Phalaropus tricolor. Wilson’s length (Wilson’s Phalarope has extensive greyish or greenish 57 Juvenile non-breeding 58 Tringa flavipes Phalarope forages while swim- short legs), back colour (that colour in the basal half to one 58 59 28 cm ming or wading belly-deep in of Wilson’s Phalarope is dark) third (as does that of Common 59 60 water, and Marsh Sandpiper and call (Marsh Sandpiper’s Greenshank), while the Lesser 60 61 also regularly forages (while call resembles a high-pitched, Yellowlegs bill usually gives the 61 62 wading) in deep water; in reedy Common Greenshank, Lesser Yellowlegs impression of being all-dark 62 63 these situations the two appear while Wilson’s Phalarope gives (and more delicate) and Greater Yellowlegs 63 64 very similar. They are, however, a nasal grunt). straight, sometimes with a 64 65 easily distinguished on leg The two yellowlegs spe-  brownish tinge at the base. 65

68 AFRICA’S WADERS africa – birds & birding 1998 – volume 3, number 2 AFRICA’S WADERS 69